Rural Retreat Train Depot Stakeholder Visioning · depot and examine how the train depot’s new function can best benefit the community. The Rural Retreat train depot was originally

Rural Retreat Train Depot

Stakeholder Visioning

2016

PREPARED BY: THE VIRGINIA TECH OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Rural Retreat Train Depot Stakeholder Visioning

Prepared by: VIRGINIA TECH OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT P a g e | 1

Acknowledgements

This report was prepared by the

Virginia Tech Office of Economic

Development, www.econdev.vt.edu.

The Office of Economic Development

(OED) connects Virginia Tech faculty,

companies, and communities in ways

that help create, retain, and enhance the quality of jobs and opportunities around the

Commonwealth. OED provides training, applied research, and technical assistance services to

increase clients’ abilities to prudently manage economic change and improve their quality of

life. Examples of such services include completion of feasibility studies, economic impact

analysis, industry and occupational analysis, strategic planning and community visioning, and

performance management and benchmarking studies. OED faculty and staff who contributed to

this report include Maeve Gould, Faruk Hesenjan, Sarah Lyon-Hill, Adam Mawyer, Nick Onopa

and John Provo.

The Rural Retreat Depot Foundation commissioned the report and contributed input and

assistance throughout the process. Numerous individuals and

organizations contributed information, resources or assistance

through interviews, community and stakeholder meetings, and

individual discussions. Special thanks to the Virginia Tech Institute

for Creativity, Arts and Technology (ICAT) for their work on

incorporating high-speed internet and the streaming of arts events in

Rural Retreat.



Introduction

In spring 2016 the Rural Retreat Depot Foundation commissioned the Virginia Tech Office of

Economic Development to assist in the visioning of the historic Rural Retreat Train Depot. This

technical assistance included gathering background data on town and county demographics

and industry trends, research on case studies and best practices, interviews with similar train

depots, and conducting a stakeholder visioning meeting to determine possible uses of the train

depot and examine how the train depot’s new function can best benefit the community.

The Rural Retreat train depot was originally built in the 1850’s by the Virginia and Tennessee

Railroad and was both a freight and passenger station. It burned down during the Civil War and

was rebuilt in 1867 in the Italianate architectural style, and is one of only three depots in the

nation remaining of similar design. In the mid-1900’s the depot was no longer used as a train

station and was sold to a company that used it as a warehouse. Over the years, the building

began to slowly deteriorate and the Rural Retreat Depot Foundation acquired the building in

2011. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

The Rural Retreat Train Depot Foundation formed to acquire, restore and manage Rural

Retreat’s historic train depot as a means of preserving the culture of the region. The foundation

is a non-profit organization whose board members include local business owners, a local food

producer, local government officials and retired community members, many of whom have

lived in Rural Retreat their entire lives. Each board member has a unique skill-set or interest

such as music, local food, historic preservation, festivals, and Appalachian crafts.

The foundation’s restoration master plan has two components: exterior restoration to the 1949

remodel condition and interior restoration to create an attractive, comfortable community

space that will serve as the centerpiece for the town. The exterior restoration has largely been

completed and interior restoration is ongoing. The train depot is currently home to a farmers

market, available for community meetings, and is a versatile event rental space for family

reunions, weddings, professional retreats, musical performances, and so on.

The remainder of this report is broken up into four sections: 1) a review of select train depots in

Appalachia and their reuses, 2) an overview of Rural Retreat regional data, 3) a summary of the

April 27, 2016 Rural Retreat Visioning meeting, and 4) a synthesis of possible reuses for the

train depot and recommendations.



Train Depots in Appalachia

Similar Sites Analysis and Expert Interviews

To understand more how other historic depots have been restored and put to new uses, The

Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development (OED) explored a selection of historic train

depots through their websites, news articles and interviews with site representatives. These

sites included:

The Marion Train Depot (Marion, NC)

The Old Fort Depot (Old Fort, NC)

The Biltmore Depot (Biltmore Village, NC)

The Saluda Train Depot (Saluda, NC)

The Depot in Marshall (Marshall, NC)

Centennial Station Arts Center (High Point, NC)

The Lavonia Train Depot (Lavonia, GA)

Bristol Train Station (Bristol, VA)

The Historic Cambria Depot (Cambria, VA)

The Chatham Train Depot (Chatham, VA)

Culpeper Train Station (Culpeper, VA)

The Draper Mercantile (Draper, VA)

These sites were chosen based on recommendations from experts in the field, their similar rural

character to Rural Retreat, and/or recent innovative activities that seem appropriate to Rural

Retreat’s character and desire to create a unique use for their depot.

The Marion Train Depot (Marion, NC) The Marion Train Depot, located at 58 Depot Street, was originally constructed in 1867 as a freight depot to serve Marion on the Western Rail Line, making the building one of the oldest surviving depots in Western North Carolina. Additions were constructed to the building in 1935 and 1952. The Depot provided passenger rail service until the 1970's. In 2005, with funding and technical assistance from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the City of Marion renovated the Marion Train Depot, which now serves as Marion’s Office of Economic Development and is available for rent for meetings, parties and other events. The facility accommodates an occupancy of 131 people with tables and chairs.

Photo Credit: www.historicmarionnc.wordpress.com/about



Freddie Killough, the Executive Director of the Marion Economic Development Office, told OED

that the Marion Depot is a community rental space for parties, receptions, etc. Volunteers also

organize live music in the Depot every Thursday evening. In addition, the Marion Depot houses

the Marion Business Association, and serves as the Economic Development Office for the City of

Marion. Killough also explained that the City of Marion owns and manages the Depot. The new

uses were determined through community forums, and these new uses were decided to be the

best for their community. When asked about the restoration process, Killough explained that

the Marion Depot was fully restored and completed in 2005 and that the restoration took three

years. Lastly, Killough informed us that the Depot restoration was 80% funded by Federal

Transportation Enhancement Funds, and 10% each from the North Carolina Department of

Transportation/Rail Division and the City of Marion. For more on The Marion Train Depot,

please visit: www.marionnc.org/rentals.php

The Old Fort Depot (Old Fort, NC) The Old Fort Depot is now the town’s visitor center and a railroad museum. Old Fort's train depot is in the heart of town. Located directly behind the historic "Arrowhead" this depot is beautifully renovated and includes a Visitor Center. For more on The Old Fort Depot, please visit: www.romanticasheville.com/old_fort.htm

The Biltmore Depot (Biltmore Village, NC) The Biltmore Depot has been renovated and converted into a restaurant called the Village Wayside Bar & Grille. Like the Biltmore Mansion and the Cathedral of All Souls, the Biltmore Depot was designed by Richard Morris Hunt. The Depot was completed in 1894, and at Christmas of 1895 it welcomed the friends and relatives of George Vanderbilt for the grand opening of the Biltmore Estate. The Depot continued as a passenger station until 1972, when Southern Railroad stopped passenger service. The Depot building was declared a National Historic landmark in 1976. While the Depot has been renovated and modernized repeatedly over the years, the exterior still looks the same as it did when the Vanderbilts debarked the train here in 1895 to celebrate the holidays. For more on The Biltmore Depot, please visit: www.realpages.com/sites/biltmoredepotrestaurant

Photo Credit: www.oldfort.org

Photo Credit: www.villagewayside.com



The Saluda Train Depot (Saluda, NC)

Where once the Saluda train depot received the throngs of seasonal visitors that caused the annual swelling of the population in their search for good health and relaxation, the area has been restored to house several shops in a unique setting rich with history and character. Known as Saluda Station, the area between the Saluda Public Library and City Hall contains the relocated Saluda depot building which is now open as a museum. It houses local art exhibits and monthly Saluda Train Tales on the third Friday of the month. For more on The Saluda Train Depot, please visit: www.historicsaluda.org/?page_id=3356

The Depot in Marshall (Marshall, NC) The building is the original Southern

Railroad Depot for the town of Marshall and

served as the depot until the 1970’s when

passenger service was discontinued. Many

of the businesses in town flourished along

the tracks because of the ease of unloading

products. Since 1980, the Marshall Depot

has hosted a traditional music jam every

Friday night.

The music performed at the Marshall Depot today includes various genres including country, blue grass, old time, and gospel. The traditional music jams are free to the public, and they also often include cake walks and dancing. Bands play 30 minute sets every Friday night starting at 6:00 p.m. and these are family friendly, community events. For more on The Depot in Marshall, please visit: www.blueridgemusic.org/blueridgemusictrails

Centennial Station Arts Center (High Point, NC) The High Point Depot, known as the Centennial Station Arts Center, is an arts, entertainment and rental space. In addition to arts and entertainment events, the dinner theatre in the Centennial Station Arts Center in downtown High Point

Photo Credit: www.saluda.com/history_depot.php

Photo Credit: www.visitmadisoncounty.com

Photo Credit: www.highpointarts.org/event-space



is available to rent. Originally serving as a freight train depot in the 1930s, this historic landmark is a unique venue for special events such as wedding receptions and corporate luncheons. OED interviewed Clint Bowman, Programs Coordinator for the Centennial Station Arts Center, and he shared a lot of great information. Bowman said Centennial Station is now owned and run by the High Point Arts Council, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The High Point Arts Council uses the space for the High Point Ballet and the High Point Community Theatre. The facility is essentially split into three different sections: one side is used by the High Point Ballet for rehearsal and practice, the mid-section is used by the Community Theatre for play rehearsals and prop storage, and the third section is used as the offices for the Arts Council. The actual load-in areas of the station are used as an event space with a kitchen, bar, stage and dance floor. Bowman explained that the decision to use the train depot as an arts, entertainment and rental space was determined by the High Point Arts Council when they became the owners in 2012. Many of the decisions on how the facility should be used have been made by the board of directors and various committees that branch off the board. In terms of restoration, many were done by a private owner who used the facility as a furniture showroom before the Arts Council bought the building. Restorations involved improving the bathrooms, kitchen area, lighting, heating/air-conditioning, addition of the bar, painting and other internal and external repairs to the mostly wooden facility. Since the Arts Council purchased the building, they have re-caulked the original floors and a new dance floor was installed. The Arts Council has a Facility Committee that meets on a monthly basis, Bowman explained, and focuses on multiple improvement projects on the facility. They are currently working on improving their parking lot and kiosk that is by the road. The restoration has been, and remains, an ongoing process since the Arts Council acquired the building. The Arts Center is funded in a variety of ways. The main funding source is rental space fees for wedding receptions, fundraisers, corporate functions, proms, etc. The bar revenue and revenue generated through ticket sales to their own ballet and theatre events are also important sources of funding. Finally, the Arts Center also garners a good deal of its funding from parking fees during the High Point Furniture Market Week which is twice a year. The Arts Center charges $10 per car during these market festivals and the money raised goes to the facility. For more on the Centennial Station Arts Center, please visit: www.highpointarts.org/event-space



The Lavonia Train Depot (Lavonia, GA) The City of Lavonia and Franklin County, Georgia have worked with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission (GMRC) to preserve the depot and install a public meeting space and railroad museum. The ARC and TVA have provided $120,000 in funds for the restoration, matched with in-kind contributions from the City of Lavonia and Franklin County. GMRC manages the project and provides technical consultation in architectural preservation. The restored depot houses a welcome center that receives a huge number of visitors from I-85. It will also house a museum, a community event space, a small library about the history of the town, a Welcome Center, and city offices. A local railroad company has also expressed interest in providing commuter rail service and excursion trains from the depot, although these represent long-term potentialities rather than confirmed plans. According to a news article, the rail depot’s economic value lies in its ability to attract visitors to Lavonia and the City hopes to make the depot a gathering place for the community. The depot was given a complete renovation in 2012 and today it stands very similarly to how it did when it was built in 1912. Marie Morse, Director of the Lavonia Main Street and Downtown Development Association, was interviewed by OED and she explained that the train depot is now used as a Welcome Center, the Main Street and Downtown Development Association office, a small meeting space and a small museum. The museum is located where the freight area of the depot used to be and the entire depot is approximately 3,200 square feet. The City of Lavonia owns the train depot, and the new uses of the depot were mainly decided by the city staff and the mayor. In terms of restoration, the train depot was overall in good shape, but some minor repairs and refurbishing was completed. The platform needed partial restructuring, some restoration was done to the outside in 2010, and a few cosmetic repairs were made to the interior which were completed in 2012. Morse explained that the restoration was funded by the ARC (as previously stated) through a grant that provided $150,000 for the restoration. Some municipal reserves were also used to fund the restoration. The yearly maintenance of the building is funded by the City’s general fund, as well as by a portion of the City’s hotel/motel tourism tax revenue. Morse concluded the conversation by stating that the depot was important to the community to preserve and that was reflected in their support and donations to the project. The entire community seems to be in support of the project, despite its costliness, because they value the

Photo Credit: www.nado.org/rural-community-spotlight-lavonia-georgia



preservation of their history. For more on The Lavonia Train Depot, please visit: www.nado.org/rural-community-spotlight-lavonia-georgia

Bristol Train Station (Bristol, VA)

Once a bustling hub built in 1902, the Bristol Train Station has been restored to its original grandeur specifically for special events. They host weddings, conferences, business meetings, celebrations and other special events. The Bristol Train Station features both indoor and outdoor accommodations. For more on the Bristol Train Station, please visit: www.bristoltrainstation.org

The Historic Cambria Depot (Cambria, VA) The Historic Cambria Depot (also known as Christiansburg Station) was built in 1867 and opened in 1868 by the Virginia Tennessee Railroad. In 1983, father and daughter team Jim and Meghan Dorsett purchased the depot after it was hit by a train, an accident that left the building 16-18 inches out of plumb, 12 inches off the foundation, and with a condemnation notice on the front door. After extensive restoration, the depot went into the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The Cambria Toy Station is now privately owned and operated by Meghan Dorsett and Carol Lindstrom. According to their website, at present, the depot houses a residence, a publishing company, a toy store, and a bookstore. The toy store helps cover the costs of the depot so they can keep the front end of the building open to the public. The bookstore was started in October 2015 to help raise money for a new paint job and a second round of preservation work on the depot. OED spoke with Meghan Dorsett about many topics including the restoration process, how it was decided what the new uses for the depot would be, and funding options for similar depots. She explained deciding what the new uses of the Cambria Depot would be was pretty simple because she already had an existing publishing business. Dorsett and her business partner added new uses (such as the toy store and book store) in order to make enough money to keep the building standing and she noted that they have made many modifications to their businesses model as they have gone along.

Photo Credit: www.bristoltrainstation.org

Photo Credit: www.historiccambria.com



The Dorsetts completed the restoration piece by piece. They had a lot of difficulty finding a contractor that was willing to take on the job because the building was so structurally damaged. Eventually they did, and Dorsett reiterated that historic restoration is an ongoing process and it will likely never be completely done. She suggested that groups perusing train depot restoration have an account or fund set aside for ongoing preservation efforts. Dorsett also recommended that any train depot considering becoming a community or event rental space install a certified or community kitchen. She installed a kitchen in the residence portion of the Cambria Depot but cautioned that the Cambria Depot was built with creosote timber which is highly flammable and a fire hazard, and the Rural Retreat Depot was built similarly. However, Dorsett advised that it is possible to install a community or “church” kitchen, which includes food storage space, a refrigerator, a sink and maybe a stove if it is done without deep fryers and no commercial kitchen-grade food heating devices which can be a fire hazard and not worth the risk. In terms of advice for groups beginning the process of restoring a historic train depot, Dorsett recommended looking into available grants for funding including: the National Historic Society, the Virginia Historic Society and the Virginia Tourism Board. She suggested that the Rural Retreat Depot Foundation utilize railroad tourism as a draw to bring people from outside the community to Rural Retreat. Dorsett commented that Virginia tourism in the Blue Ridge Highlands area of the state is centered on the outdoors and the arts (such as music, crafts, etc.) and that train depots looking to find new uses should capitalize on these assets. She also suggested looking into Virginia’s Artisan Trails, which is where several state-level promotions and grants can come from, if the Rural Retreat depot were to utilize the space as a place where artisans can display and sell their crafts. For more on The Historic Cambria Depot, please visit: www.cambriatoystation.com/aboutus.htm

The Chatham Train Depot (Chatham, VA) The old freight portion of the Chatham Train Depot is being restored to honor Danville and Pittsylvania area war veterans with an emphasis on the role that the railroad and train stations played in periods of national defense, through a Veteran’s Museum. The old ticket office will be used as a visitor’s center. The museum will be utilized for the display of railroad artifacts and for portraying the historical significance of the rail depot to Chatham’s growth and development. The historic waiting room will be used as a community room and exhibition hall, and bathroom facilities and an office will be constructed. The freight depot section is being converted into a public library and a history research center. The Pittsylvania Historical Society says the original purpose of the depot can be re-established if Amtrak, or other mass transit rail

Photo Credit: www.pittsylvaniahistoricsociety.org



sources, become viable. For more on The Chatham Train Depot, please visit: www.pittsylvaniahistoricalsociety.org/vetmus.html

Culpeper Train Station (Culpeper, VA)

The Culpeper Train Station is still a train station and hub for tourists stopping by the Visitor Center. It is also host to cultural events and the museum of Culpeper. The town of Culpeper created a historic district covering the entire downtown, utilizing the four point approach for downtown renewal pioneered by the National Main Street Association. They also won a $700,000 Transportation Enhancement Grant from the Virginia Department of Transportation to restore the train station and the historic downtown area. The historic freight station was then converted into a conference and event space that can be rented for meetings and social events. The Culpeper Train Station has also installed the first public arts project in Culpeper called Reel LOVE at the Depot. Lastly, the Culpeper Train Station is also the host of outdoor events for the community. OED spoke to Maxie Brown, Zoning Administrator for the Town of Culpeper, about their restoration and reuse process. Brown explained that the Culpeper Train Station is currently being used as a Visitor Center, features local artwork on the walls and has a kitchen that can be used as a community room. She also mentioned that the Culpeper Train Station restoration was primarily funded by Community Development Block Grants and that its operating costs are now funded by the Town of Culpeper. A current restoration project they are working on is repairing the roof of the train station. In order to acquire the station from Norfolk Southern Railway 15 years ago, the town traded the land that the train station is on for other land in the town the railway company wanted. Lastly, Brown explained that the town acquired the building largely because decision makers knew they wanted to utilize the train station as a Visitor Center, indoor and outdoor event space and public arts display. The Town Council determined there was a need for these uses for the community, and the Culpeper Train Station appeared to be a good place to house them. For more on the Culpeper Train Station, please visit: www.greatamericanstations.com/Stations/CLP

Photo Credit: www.greatamericanstations.com



The Draper Mercantile (Draper, VA) Although the Draper Mercantile is not a restored train depot, it is a historic building near Rural Retreat that has been restored into a new use and is appropriate to the character of the area. The Draper Mercantile and Trading Company is creating economic opportunity for the region while preserving and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Southwest Virginia. As a historic site and a long-standing tradition in the community of Draper, it remains at the heart of the community and serves as a community center for the town of Draper. It offers a regular calendar of free events and services to the community including live music, artisan demonstrations, beginner’s yoga, free wireless internet access and educational events. Various community groups hold meetings or events at the Draper Mercantile. The Draper Mercantile also hosts a variety of music events, like concerts, dances, intimate acoustic performances, and their own Blues Band. They have regular free performances by local musicians as well as ticketed events. The Draper Mercantile also hosts holiday celebrations and various festivals throughout the year, inviting the community and visitors to the area to join in celebrating the cultural heritage of Southwest Virginia. In addition to regular programming, the Draper Mercantile can be rented for gatherings such as wedding receptions, birthday parties and baby showers. Lastly, the Draper Mercantile is home to the Blue Door Café and Bakery which serves fresh food in a historic atmosphere. The Café and Bakery attempts to use seasonal produce as much as possible and they also cater parties. For more on The Draper Mercantile, please visit: www.drapermerc.com

Similar Sites Summary In all case studies cited, the central location as well as the cultural and historic value of the train

depots are leveraged in determining their future use. The followings features are reoccurring

among the case study train depots:

Most of the train depots are being used for multiple purposes since renovation. This is

similar to the current multi-use approach that the Rural Retreat Depot Foundation is

pursuing.

The most popular uses are museums, visitor centers and art exhibits, as well as

gathering spaces for music festivals and community events.

Photo Credit: www.drapermerc.com



Depending on the original condition, all train depots underwent varying levels of interior

and exterior renovation that require a certain amount of initial investment. The

interviewees emphasized that the renovation and restoration is an ongoing process, and

the entities that own and run the train depot should be prepared for this financially.

Several external sources regarding transportation, downtown redevelopment, historic

preservation, and tourism are used to fund the renovation process. Among the case

studies, financial assistance from public entities and private donations are identified as

common sources to cover operational costs. A few public funding sources include: the

Appalachian Regional Commission, Community Development Block Grants, the

Department of Transportation, the Department of Historic Resources, and the National

Trust for Historic Preservation.

Rural Retreat and Wythe County Data Overview

When considering appropriate uses for the Rural Retreat Train Depot, we must take into

account the local population or possible users of the depot. As of 2014, there were 1,631

people living in the town of Rural Retreat, and 29,259 people in surrounding Wythe County. As

shown in Table.1 in Appendix A, a lower percentage of the town’s population is aged 18-24

years. The percentage of people aged 65 years and over (20%) in Rural Retreat is relatively

higher than both Wythe County and the state average.

Among the population aged 18 years and over, 86% are high school graduates, and 18.4% hold

a Bachelor’s degree or higher. As illustrated in Table.2 in Appendix A, Rural Retreat has

proportionally more high school graduates and residents with a Bachelor’s degree or higher

than Wythe County, but less than the state of Virginia.

These demographics may pose two opportunities: a chance to retain or attract younger

audiences, and a chance to develop activities for the substantial senior population. Continuing

education or workshop programs may possibly attract some of this audience.

Employment

Compared with Wythe County, the town of Rural Retreat has a higher labor force participation

rate. Nearly 61% of its population 16 years and over are in the labor force. Additionally, the

town’s unemployment rate (6%) is lower than both Wythe County (10%) and the state average

(7%).

As of 2014, there were 316 jobs in Rural Retreat. Manufacturing, followed by Retail Trade, and

Healthcare and Social Assistance, account for 35%, 26% and 12% of total jobs respectively. The

main occupations include Management, business, science, and arts occupations (31%);

Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (25%); Sales and office

occupations (21%); Service occupations (13%); Education, legal, community service, arts, and

media occupations (9%), and Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations (8%).



Only a minor portion (20 out of 316) of the total jobs are occupied by workers who live in Rural

Retreat. The majority (96%) of the 504 workers who live in the town of Rural Retreat are

employed out of town. The town of Wytheville is the destination for most (46%) of work

commuters.

With a larger proportion of Rural Retreat’s labor force employed, activities at the depot meant

to reach this sector of the population must take place at appropriate times (evenings and

weekends), and also take into consideration their familial obligations and needs (e.g. childcare).

Additionally, the Rural Retreat Depot Foundation might consider ways of reaching those that

work in Rural Retreat but live elsewhere.

Agriculture

As of 2012, there were 952 farms in Wythe County, and average market value of products sold

per farm is $54,034. Nearly 60% of these farms are specialized in Beef Cattle ranching and

farming, and hay farming. Although fruit and vegetable farming makes up a smaller percentage

of the market value, the 2012 Agricultural Census cites eight farms that grow sweet corn, seven

that grow pumpkins, six that produce fruit and nuts, five that grow squash, and one that grows

cabbage. While more may exist that were not recorded by the Ag Census or that opened since

2012, the number still represents a small handful of produce farms. The main agricultural

products in Wythe County are Forage, Beef Cows, Corn for Silage and Green chop, Sheep and

lambs, and Corn for grain. Table.5 in Appendix A shows that the Animal Production and

Aquaculture sector offers 63 jobs, and there are 842 people self-employed in this sector

county-wide.

Even though there are a large number of farms, farm production for local retail such as fruits

and vegetables is limited in Wythe County. In planning the future uses of the train depot,

especially organizing agriculture-related community events, this local agricultural data should

be recognized and taken into account. Some small scale, regional agricultural production

already exists in the Rural Retreat area, and working with organizations such as Virginia

Cooperative Extension could be an opportunity for the depot to foster more of this type of

agricultural production. Such a project would tie into region trends such as local food

movements and agritourism. However, this sort of project and its success would hinge

extensively on developing farmer interest and interest among the region’s residents to buy

local.

Tourism

According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s estimates, direct travel-related employment

and payroll, spending by domestic travelers, and local tax receipts generated by travel in Wythe

County have been increasing since 2011. As of 2014, there were 957 direct travel-related jobs in

Wythe County, generating $19.6 million in payroll. Table.7 in Appendix A shows that a total of

$3.9 million of Local Tax Receipts were generated in 2014, which is a 1.3% increase compared



to the previous year. The direct spending by domestic travelers totaled $137.7 million in 2014,

which is an increase of 3.2% compared to 2013.

The local excise taxes mainly came from Food Services and Lodging. In 2014, a total of $3.1

million of local Food Service excise taxes were collected. Lodging excise taxes were also a

considerable portion ($1.3 million in 2014), and they increased by 4.6% between 2013 and 2014

(compared to a 2.3% increase in Food Service excise tax collected).

Leveraging its cultural and historic value, the Rural Retreat train depot may become a tourist

attraction, and the town can benefit from the increased number of visits and tourists.

Therefore, it is worthwhile to take advantage of this rising trend of tourism to the region, while

preserving the train depot and addressing the demands of local community members.

To best take advantage of this opportunity, however, the depot should align its resources and

efforts with other town and county activities so that coming to the town of Rural Retreat is

more attractive to tourists.

Visioning Meeting Summary

At 5:30 in the evening on April 27th 2016, OED met with Rural Retreat Town Council members

and the Rural Retreat Depot Foundation at the train depot for a Visioning Meeting. There were

20 community members and 8 Virginia Tech representatives in attendance, and a complete list

of attendees is recorded in Appendix B. The purpose of this visioning session was to listen to

and identify values and themes the community desires the train depot to fulfill after

renovations. The meeting began with an explanation of what the evening would entail, an

introduction of those in attendance and initial thoughts on the identity of Rural Retreat.

Following introductions, OED shared information about twelve train depot renovations in the

Appalachian region that the team researched as case studies and best practices for the Rural

Retreat depot. These similar sites included depots in Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia. Next,

U.S. Census Agriculture, Industry, and Demographic data for both Wythe County and the town

of Rural Retreat was discussed in order to help inform thinking about community needs and to

identify trends in the community.

Following a break, OED led a “Who Are You” activity to frame the later brainstorming session

around the values, needs and ideas of the community. For the brainstorming session, meeting

attendees were split into two groups and each group was asked, “Who is Rural Retreat?,”

“What does the train depot mean to you?” and then, “What can the train depot be?”

Brainstorming ideas were written on large sheets of paper for all participants to see, and

attendees were each asked to rank the three ideas they thought were the best fit for the Rural

Retreat train depot. All of the use ideas suggested at the visioning meeting and the number of

dot “votes” they received are listed in Appendix C. The ideas recorded on the large pads of



paper, as well as notes recorded by OED staff, informed the four overarching thematic areas

that are identified in the Synthesis and Recommendations section of this report.

Meeting Discussion Analysis and Categorization

Following the Visioning Meeting, our team gathered all of the notes and found consistent

themes and types of uses from the various ideas presented. As seen in Figure 1 below, the use

ideas were divided by the reoccurrence of an event or service (annually, monthly, weekly, etc.)

and by themes relating to Food, Arts & Culture, Education, and a Visitor Center/Event Space.

The matrix below helps visualize each of the proposed uses and how they would fit in terms of

frequency and overarching theme.

Figure 1: Use Scenarios and Frequency Matrix

Annual or Seasonal Events Daily/Weekly/Monthly

Services Permanent Use/Titles

Center for Local Food &

Health

Fork & Cork Festival Beer and Wine Tastings

Farmers Market

Cooking/Canning Classes

Health Education Event Rental Space

Local Foods & Health Center Museum

Center for Community

Arts

Appalachian Crafts Festival

Concert and Event Streaming Farmers Market

Craft Enrichment Program Art Exhibits

Event Rental Space

Community Arts Center

Museum

Center for Community Education

SAT Classes Tutoring

Farmers Market

Technical Skills Classes Leadership Trainings Event Rental Space

Community Education Center Museum

Cultural Engine &

Visitor Center

Street Dance Christmas Bazaar Farmers Market

Senior Citizen Activities Bluegrass Jam

Farmers Market

Community Depot Museum

Synthesis and Recommendations

OED identified four overarching themes through analysis of best practices, interviews, similar sites, demographic and industrial data, and the results of the stakeholder Visioning Meeting. The community input from the Visioning Meeting was particularly valuable in identifying use ideas and community needs. The four distinct thematic areas identified through this process include Education, the Arts, Local Food/Health, and a General Events Space/Visitor Center. It is recommended that the Rural Retreat Depot Foundation select only one of the following use



scenarios and focus on one of the thematic areas exclusively. Details and possible tactics and next steps related to these thematic areas are included below. It is important to note that each of the use scenarios below include existing plans and successful activities:

1) the creation of a museum, 2) continuation of utilizing the space for event rentals, and 3) continuation as the location of the Rural Retreat Farmers Market.

The Rural Retreat Train Depot Foundation’s 2016 Report identifies these three listed baseline uses as services the organization would like to unquestionably create or continue. Comments from the stakeholder Visioning Meeting reinforced this sentiment. The creation of a museum, which could include the history of the Rural Retreat train depot, the important role cabbage historically played in the community, as well as information on O. Winston Link and Dr. Pepper, in one of the rooms of the depot is a use the community decidedly agrees upon and will be a beneficial addition to each of the four scenarios. Continuation of event rentals and the farmers market at the depot were two uses that the community identified as desirable to continue and strategically complement each of the use scenarios described below. Also at the stakeholders Visioning Meeting, it was clear residents wanted the depot to not simply contain one use, but for it to have multiple unique uses. The inclusion of a museum, event rental space, farmers market, plus one of the four additional thematic areas below fulfills this desire for multiple uses. Use Scenario 1: Rural Retreat Center for Community Education Utilizing the train depot for community education was a clear theme among the use ideas presented by stakeholders at the Visioning Meeting. The Rural Retreat Center for Community Education could include learning opportunities such as career counseling, job skills classes, resume writing and interview skills workshops, SAT classes for high school students, tutoring for high school and middle school students, and certification trainings. At the stakeholder Visioning Meeting, community members expressed an interest in having a space in Rural Retreat where residents can come in the evenings or on weekends to learn new skills, advance their careers and have access to broader educational opportunities. Leadership trainings and seminars could be led by successful area business owners, government officials or instructors from nearby educational institutions. This use scenario could effectively and strategically utilize the high speed, fiber internet connection that is already available at the depot, through streaming classes over the internet and offering computer skills trainings. Technical skills classes could be offered for people of all educational levels (high school students and adults alike) at a low cost to participants so that all Rural Retreat-area residents have the opportunity to advance their knowledge and skill sets. A community education center could help stimulate a larger economic development effort in Rural Retreat and position the train depot as a cornerstone in the downtown revitalization of this historic community.



If this use scenario is selected, the foundation may need to consider the amenities and infrastructure necessary for this use to be a success, for example, the purchasing of laptops or tablet computers, as well as software suites. The foundation could explore partnering with an educational institution or another non-profit to gain access to software packages. There may also be grants available for education centers through the U.S. or Virginia Department of Education, or other foundations. It is recommended that if computers are purchased, they be portable, so that they can be easily moved and securely stored when the depot is rented as event space or opened up to the community for an event. It may also be necessary to hire a part-time staff person to manage, coordinate and promote this use scenario. Use Scenario 2: Rural Retreat Center for Community Arts The arts were another recurring theme throughout the brainstorm session at the stakeholder Visioning Meeting. The Rural Retreat train depot has a unique opportunity to position itself as a destination where tourists, artists, musicians and artisans gather and live to make and appreciate art. Its location as a halfway point between two other artist communities, Abingdon and Floyd, and near the convergence of two large interstates (I-81 and I-77), positions Rural Retreat as a potential hub for the visual, as well as performing arts. The Rural Retreat Center for Community Arts could include activities such as monthly rotations of art exhibits displaying the work of local artists on the walls and around the depot. Art classes, such as painting and drawing for both adults and children, could be offered at the depot and taught by area artists. Music events such as concerts, performances, jam sessions, square dances and music lessons could be offered, perhaps on a regular basis. The Center for Community Arts could have activities focused on Appalachian arts and crafts such as craft exhibitions, markets, an annual Appalachian Craft Festival, classes, and demonstrations. A Craft Enrichment Program could be created where affordable classes on a specific topic such as pottery, weaving, quilting, sewing, jewelry making, mosaics, glass-blowing or photography are offered and held in the evenings once a week for an eight week session. These could be taught by area artists and offered to varying age groups (i.e. one class for those aged 10 to 15 years, and another for 16 and up) so that residents of all ages and skill levels can participate. The Center for Community Arts could also utilize the depot’s high speed internet by streaming musical events or radio shows for a live audience. In order to implement this use scenario if selected, some art supplies may need to be purchased and funds may need to be raised to compensate artists who teach at the Craft Enrichment Program. It could be helpful to develop and inventory of artists in the region as well as a board of community members and artists in charge of programming. Hiring a part-time staff person to manage, coordinate and promote this use scenario may be beneficial. For occasions when the depot is rented out for an event or open to the public for a festival, a space in the depot may need to be designated as storage for supplies and crafts so that the artists’ work is preserved and kept secure.



Use Scenario 3: Rural Retreat Center for Local Foods and Health Many of the ideas suggested at the stakeholder Visioning Meeting had to do with local foods and health. This thematic area fits well with the farmers market, which is one of the pre-established, current uses of the Rural Retreat depot. In Wythe County, there are 959 people employed in the Crop and Animal Production industry1 and 952 farms.2 There are several farms in the Rural Retreat area that raise eggs, chicken, grass-fed beef, pastured pork, honey, organic heirloom and rare produce, and so on.3 There are also several wineries in the Rural Retreat area.4 The Rural Retreat Center for Local Foods and Health could be the home to such activities as an expanded farmers market, cooking classes featuring healthy and local foods, canning and food preservation classes, healthy cooking demonstrations, health education classes, food truck rallies, and local winery and brewery tastings. The farmers market could be expanded to more months throughout the year and to include special events such as a craft/artisan day, Thanksgiving food and Christmas gift markets, a “Double Your Bucks” program for EBT cardholders, a “Greening Your Plate” day/month, farm tours, a vintage/antique market day, or a farmers market photo contest. The Local Foods and Health Center could also host events for children to get involved and interested in eating healthier, growing food and cooking. There could be a Kid’s Mini Market and seed planting station in conjunction with the farmers market. The depot could host classes after school or on the weekends for children to learn how to transplant flowers into pots that they have decorated, or simple cooking classes. For adults the depot could host an annual Fork and Cork Festival where local wineries and area breweries bring their beverages to sample and area restaurants and food vendors can share their offerings. Several other food-related events were suggested at the stakeholder Visioning Meeting which could also be incorporated into the Rural Retreat Center for Local Foods and Health. In order to implement this scenario, a certified or community kitchen with food storage space, a refrigerator, sink, counter space, stove-top and oven will need to be installed in the train depot. These kitchens often require multiple cooking areas for different groups, open space for classes and mobile equipment is often helpful. On average, community and church kitchens range from 500 to 1,000 square feet. Because the Rural Retreat depot is built with creosote wood and there is a potential for fire hazards, it is advised that no commercial grade fryers, commercial grade ovens or commercial grade stove tops be installed, but rather, home kitchen appliances are recommended. It may be beneficial to conduct a full feasibility study to determine the practicality of installing a certified or community kitchen in the depot. There may be funding available for kitchen installation through partnerships with economic development

1 Source: Emsi Economic Modeling Program – www.economicmodeling.com, 2016 2 United States Department of Agriculture - Census of Agriculture, 2012 3 Source: nrvrc.org/Agritourism/SWVA_Local_Foods 4 Source: nrvrc.org/Agritourism/SWVA_Local_Foods



non-profits, federal and local government agencies, and national and community foundations such as the Appalachian Regional Commission, USDA, and the Community Development Block Grant Program. A certified or community kitchen could also be utilized by area farmers to make value-added agricultural products, such as jams, sauces, jellies, salsa, baked goods and sausages, to sell at the farmers market and other area stores. This would help farmers market vendors increase the profitability of their products and the viability of their farms and businesses. Some costs of kitchen installation can be covered by client usage fees, as well as fees from cooking and canning classes. If this use scenario is selected, hiring a manager to coordinate and promote the Center for Local Foods and Health would be beneficial. In addition, Wythe County Cooperative Extension agents may be able to offer guidance about the creation of the Local Foods and Health Center, advice on kitchen requirements and installation, and assist in teaching classes. Use Scenario 4: Rural Retreat Cultural Engine and Visitor Center The Rural Retreat Cultural Engine use scenario involves the train depot remaining as a general community gathering place, without selecting a specific thematic area such as the Arts, Education or Local Foods/Health. Like the other use scenarios, this option would include a museum, event rental space and farmers market, in addition to being a space for a Rural Retreat Visitor Center, as well as a rotating calendar of weekly programming and annual events and festivals. The Visitor Center would be a place that provides maps and brochures, as well as information on lodging, restaurants, area attractions and events for tourists to visit. This use would nicely complement the Rural Retreat museum. The rotating calendar of annual events and festivals could include activities such as a revival of the historic Street Dance, a Haunted House on Halloween, a BBQ or Chili Cook-off Contest, an Open House during the annual Heritage Festival, a Cabbage or Pumpkin Festival, a Christmas Bazaar, a Dr. Pepper Festival, and a Fork and Cork Festival. The monthly or weekly programming events could include regular senior citizen and/or veteran activities, art exhibits, open hours where anyone can come and enjoy the train depot, bluegrass and old-time jam sessions, and wine and beer tastings. It would be a place where the community gathers to have organizational meetings, share a meal, learn a new skill, or simply play a game of checkers. If this scenario is selected, it could be helpful to hire a part-time staff person to manage the weekly programming, calendar and promotion of events. Organizing and promoting multiple events throughout the year, as well as daily activities, requires significant strategic coordination and planning. Another option could be that perhaps an additional Rural Retreat Depot Foundation officer (volunteer) position could be created to fill this role. It is advised that an organizing committee and chair-person be designated for each annual festival or event, to help ensure the events are well-attended and run smoothly. The chair-person could be someone with a personal interest or investment in the particular festival or event. It may also be helpful to consider installing a community kitchen for this use scenario. This use scenario in particular



would benefit the local Rural Retreat community, while also bolstering tourism and bringing people to Rural Retreat from the outside.

Next Steps and Conclusion

Based on the recommendations summarized above, there are several next steps that the Rural

Retreat Depot Foundation may consider to achieve the goal of implementing new community

uses at the Rural Retreat train depot. The first step is for the Rural Retreat Depot Foundation to

decide which use scenario fits the Rural Retreat community best and to pursue only that

scenario. The depot foundation should choose one use scenario because focusing on one

subject area, such as arts, education, local foods or a visitor center, provides a clear direction

and vision for the depot as well as establishes a clear audience, or clientele. Most foundations

and funding options only fund certain focus areas, so choosing one use scenario will likely also

allow for greater funding opportunities. In order to determine which use scenario to select, the

Rural Retreat Depot Foundation might consider working with the Town of Rural Retreat to have

an initial community meeting and to gauge interest in the use scenarios. Once the use scenario

is selected, further next steps include the following:

Champions. Identify the champions, or proponents, of the various use ideas and each event or festival. Determine who in the community to bring together and work with to achieve certain goals.

o These entities may include area artists, business owners, farmers/food producers, County Cooperative Extension agents, town council members, historic society members, religious leaders, planning commission members, industry representatives and/or local educators.

Feasibility Study. Conduct a Feasibility Study for the selected use scenario to determine whether the use is sustainable, can withstand the risks it will encounter and meets the Rural Retreat Depot Foundation’s goals. This study will drill down deeper into the selected use scenario and help identify whether it is practical and viable for Rural Retreat specifically. The visioning meeting step helped identify community interests and needs, and the Feasibility Study step will determine whether the selected uses are financially and programmatically sustainable in the long-run and sufficiently distinguish the Rural Retreat train depot from other depots. The Feasibility study should include:

o A market analysis, best practices assessment of similar programs and a financial feasibility analysis accounting for possible funding sources.

Funding. Determine funding options such as grants, private donations and fundraising events. Grant options may be available through entities such as State and National Historic Societies, the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Virginia Tourism Board, Community Development Block Grants, the US Department of Agriculture and the Appalachian Regional Commission. The use scenario that is selected may impact the types of funding options that are available and applicable to the Rural Retreat train



depot. There may also be private foundations whose missions align with the Rural Retreat Depot Foundation’s goals and selected use scenario. The depot foundation may also want to consider soliciting major donations from area residents who have a vested interest in the depot’s success and who perhaps would benefit from the revitalization of downtown Rural Retreat.

Museum

Regardless of which future use scenario the Rural Retreat Depot Foundation decides to adopt, establishing the museum is a great way to start the implementation process. The museum use is one of the most frequently suggested uses demonstrated in both the case studies, and during the Visioning Meeting. The museum is also a common component among all the future use scenarios presented for the depot, and it allows other uses to be gradually incorporated. The train depot can preserve and display its own cultural heritage, educate the younger generation about their history and may even become a tourist attraction to draw visitors from outside the town. In order to establish a museum, it is recommended that the following next steps be considered:

Champions. Collaboration with the entities listed below will help bring the museum into

reality. Some of these entities may be able to provide professional consulting on the

collection of potential content to display and best practices in organizing overall layout

of the museum. Collaboration with the local school system may be useful in achieving

the educational goal of the future museum.

o Rural Retreat Historic Society

o Wythe County Genealogical and Historical Association-Regional Research Center

o Wytheville Department of Museums

Wytheville Training School Cultural Center

The Thomas J. Boyd Museum

The Great Lakes to Florida Highway Museum

o Wythe County Public Schools

Business Operational Plan. Create a museum Business Plan considering the following

issues:

o Who are the potential/target visitors?

o Operational processes such as:

Staffing

Identify specific square footage necessary and/or room(s) suitable for

museum use

Visitor capacity and accessibility

Display themes

History of the train depot and Rural Retreat

Historic influence of cabbage



O.Winston Link’s Christmas Eve photo

Dr. Pepper

Provide an on-site, online component to complement the content

already in display at the museum, taking advantage of the high speed

internet already available at the depot

o Create a funding model

Fundraising, private donations, public/private funding sources

o Create a management team

o Promotion of the museum

Television, newspaper, social media, etc.

Funding. The following are a few of the sources that can be referred to in funding the

interior restoration and day-to-day operations of the future museum:

o Department of Historic Resources

State Rehabilitation Tax Credits Programs offer property owners

substantial incentives for private investment in preservation. For more

information, please visit: dhr.virginia.gov/tax_credits/tax_credit.htm

o Appalachian Regional Commission

The Operating Grant funds the costs of an on-going program, such as

staff salaries. For more information, please visit:

www.arc.gov/funding/GeneralInformationAboutGrantsandFunding.asp

o National Trust for Historic Preservation

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors5 enables the hiring of a

preservation architect to create an interior restoration plan as well as a

consultant to develop a conservation plan for an interior's textiles. This

fund also enables the production of a historic furnishings plan, and

provides for professional expertise in areas such as architecture,

planning, paint analysis, archeology, or graphic design. For more

information, please visit: www.preservationnation.org/resources/find-

funding/special-funds/cynthia-woods-mitchell.html#.V1ho6NkrLcs

Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation6 can be used for designing,

producing and marketing print and video communications materials,

obtaining professional advice to strengthen management capabilities,

obtaining the services of consultants with expertise in areas such as

architecture, planning, economics, archeology, fundraising, media

5 This grant requires Organizational Level Forum membership or National Main Street Network membership of the National Trust to be eligible to apply for funding. Please refer to the link below to learn more about becoming a member: www.preservationnation.org/forum/joinforumnow.html#.V1h2vNkrLct 6 Ibid.



relations, education or graphic design. For more information, please visit:

www.preservationnation.org/resources/find-funding/special-

funds/johanna-favrotfund.html

Information Technology Infrastructure

The Rural Retreat train depot’s high speed fiber internet connection is a unique asset that the

foundation can leverage in any use scenario it selects. This asset makes the Rural Retreat train

depot unique and stand out from other restored Appalachian train depots, and therefore, this

unique asset should be utilized as strategically as possible. It is important that the champions

for the information technology infrastructure, such as Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity,

Arts and Technology (ICAT) and Shentel, be determined and utilized. Funding opportunities for

the purchasing of equipment such as high quality television screens, high definition cameras

and microphones should be determined. There may be foundations that give grants for the

purchasing of this type of equipment and these funders should be identified. The high speed

internet connection can be used in each of the use scenarios in the following ways:

Use Scenario 1: Rural Retreat Center for Community Education o Streaming leadership classes, certification trainings and technical skills classes

over the internet

o Computer and internet skills classes

o Webinars administered by nearby educational institutions

o Virtual workshops and online courses related to job skills, resume writing and

interviewing skills

o Opportunities for internet usage, research and education for those who may not

have internet access at home

o Website development and social media courses for entrepreneurs and small

businesses

Use Scenario 2: Rural Retreat Center for Community Arts o Streaming of musical events, performing arts programs and radio shows both for

a live audience and for broadcasting to other locations

o Virtual workshops or classes lead by artists from anywhere across the state,

country, or world

o The opportunity for local artists to utilize digital technology, audio and visual in

their visual or performing arts pieces

o Student opportunities:

Utilizing the internet for research and interactive art websites

Creating art-related wikis, blogs, podcasts and websites



Using online software like animation, paint programs and photo editing

tools

Online collaboration and ability to share artwork globally

o Use Scenario 3: Rural Retreat Center for Local Foods and Health o Streaming of healthy cooking, food processing and preservation, fermentation,

basic gardening and beekeeping classes o Webinars or virtual workshops that could be applicable and helpful to farmers

market vendors, on topics such as: Marketing and advertising both their farm and products How to create and strategically utilize value-added products Outreach, promotion and social media Improving sales Food safety and risk management

o Online courses on health, nutrition and wellness

o Use Scenario 4: Rural Retreat Cultural Engine and Visitor Center o Creating a state of the art, comprehensive website that includes:

A calendar of upcoming events Maps of Rural Retreat and activities in the area Information about renting out the space for an event Class registration Photos Location, hours of operation and contact information

o Streaming of classes, workshops and seminars o Broadcasting concerts, performing arts events and radio shows o Computer and internet skills classes

Conclusion

This report provides regional data and case studies that are similar in character and use to the Rural Retreat train depot, describes a stakeholder visioning meeting where community members provided ideas and themes for new uses of the depot, and synthesizes these findings into recommended possible use scenarios for the foundation to consider. The next steps section provides a roadmap for the Rural Retreat train depot to become not only an asset for the community but also attract people from the outside and establish the depot as a well-known tourist destination. The Rural Retreat train depot has a great deal of potential to preserve the cultural heritage of this historic community, be a cornerstone in the revitalization of the downtown area and to once again be the centerpiece of the community.



Appendix A

Table.1

Population by age

Subject Virginia Wythe County

Town of Rural Retreat

Total population 8,185,131 29,259 1,631

AGE

Under 5 years 6.20% 5.00% 7.60%

5 to 9 years 6.30% 5.70% 6.60%

10 to 14 years 6.30% 5.90% 4.50%

15 to 19 years 6.70% 5.90% 5.20%

20 to 24 years 7.20% 5.30% 4.70%

25 to 29 years 7.10% 5.20% 7.80%

30 to 34 years 6.80% 5.40% 6.10%

35 to 39 years 6.40% 6.80% 5.50%

40 to 44 years 7.00% 6.70% 6.10%

45 to 49 years 7.30% 7.30% 6.50%

50 to 54 years 7.40% 7.30% 4.40%

55 to 59 years 6.50% 7.10% 6.10%

60 to 64 years 5.80% 7.90% 8.80%

65 to 69 years 4.4% 6.3% 7.7%

70 to 74 years 3.2% 4.2% 5.0%

75 to 79 years 2.2% 2.7% 3.4%

80 to 84 years 1.6% 2.8% 1.7%

85 years and over 1.6% 2.4% 2.6%

Median age (years) 37.6 43.5 42.5

Source: U.S. Census-American Community Survey, 2014 Five-year estimate



Table.2

Educational attainment by age

Subject Virginia Wythe County

Town of Rural Retreat

Population 18 to 24 years 821,722 2,118 94

Less than high school graduate 11.6% 6.9% 6.4%

High school graduate (includes equivalency) 30.3% 37.5% 28.7%

Some college or associate's degree 46.3% 46.6% 58.5%

Bachelor's degree or higher 11.9% 8.9% 6.4%

% High School graduates 88.5% 93.0% 93.6%

Population 25 years and over 5,501,125 21,122 1,167

Less than 9th grade 4.9% 7.0% 7.4%

9th to 12th grade, no diploma 7.2% 10.7% 6.8%

High school graduate (includes equivalency) 25.0% 37.1% 32.0%

Some college, no degree 20.0% 19.6% 18.7%

Associate's degree 7.1% 10.4% 15.7%

Bachelor's degree 20.7% 9.8% 11.1%

Graduate or professional degree 15.0% 5.3% 8.3%


Population 18 years and over


% Bachelor's degree or higher 32.6% 14.5% 18.4%

Source: U.S. Census-American Community Survey, 2014 Five-year estimate



Table.3

Number of farms by agricultural products in Wythe County

Source: U.S Department of Agriculture- Census of Agriculture, 2012

Table.4

Number of farms by industry type in Wythe County

Industry Type– Number of Farms Wythe County - 2012

Change – 2007-2012

Percentage Change 2007-2012

Oilseed and grain farming 9 4 80.0%

Vegetable and melon farming 2 -5 -71.4%

Fruit and tree nut farming 6 4 200.0%

Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production

4 -8 -66.7%

Tobacco Farming 0 0 0.0%

Cotton Farming 0 0 0.0%

Hay farming, and all other crop farming 187 43 29.9%

Beef Cattle ranching and farming 562 -67 -10.7%

Cattle Feedlots 11 -7 -38.9%

Dairy Cattle and Milk production 30 0 0.0%

Hog and Pig Farming 3 2 200.0%

Poultry and egg production 0 -10 -100.0%

Sheep and goat farming 22 3 15.8%

Animal aquaculture and other animal production

116 47 68.1%

Source: U.S Department of Agriculture- Census of Agriculture, 2012

Agricultural Product Number of Farms That Grow Product

Beef Cows 545

Milk Cows 34

Hogs and Pigs 15

Sheeps and Lambs 44

Corn for Grain 37

Corn for Silage and Greenchop 102

Wheat for Grain 5

Barley for Grain 4

Forage 680

Potatoes 3

Bean, Snap 3

Cabbage, Head 1

Cantalopes and Muskmelons 1

Cucumber and Pickles 2

Bell Pepper, Excluding Acres 2

Pumpkins 7

Squash, All 5

Sweet Corn 8

Tomatoes in the Open 3

Watermelon 2



Table.5

Employment by agricultural sectors in Wythe County: Crop and Animal Production

NAICS Code Description 2016 Jobs

2006-2016 % Change

Current Wages & Salaries

2016 Location Quotient

112000 Animal Production and Aquaculture

63 9% $20,018 3.07

115115 Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders

23 15% $16,258 0.92

111000 Crop Production <10 N/A N/A 0.01

115116 Farm Management Services

<10 N/A N/A 6.22

113310 Logging <10 N/A N/A 0.08

115310 Support Activities for Forestry

<10 N/A N/A 0.77

115210 Support Activities for Animal Production

<10 N/A N/A 3.12

Source: Emsi Economic Modeling Program – www.economicmodeling.com, 2016

Table.6

Self-employment by agricultural sectors in Wythe County: Crop and Animal Production

NAICS Code Description

2016 Jobs

2006-2016 % Change

Current Wages & Salaries

2016 Location Quotient

112000 Animal Production and Aquaculture

842 7% $14,582 13.69

113310 Logging 10 -50% $16,584 1.85

115116 Farm Management Services

<10 N/A N/A 1.04

115112 Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating

<10 N/A N/A 0.61

114112 Shellfish Fishing <10 N/A N/A 0.69

111000 Crop Production <10 N/A $13,773 0.12

114111 Finfish Fishing <10 N/A N/A 0.52

115114 Postharvest Crop Activities (except Cotton Ginning)

<10 N/A N/A 0.82

115210 Support Activities for Animal Production

<10 N/A N/A 1.95

Source: Emsi Economic Modeling Program – www.economicmodeling.com, 2016



Table.7

Travel Economic Impacts in Wythe County

2011 2012 2013 2014 Percent Change

Employment 880 900 945 957 1.2%

Expenditures $ 121,321,171 $ 127,040,473 $ 133,429,861 $ 137,654,721 3.2%

Local Tax Receipts $ 3,502,079 $ 3,623,419 $ 3,861,093 $ 3,911,379 1.3%

Payroll $ 17,009,202 $ 17,705,854 $ 19,041,354 $ 19,561,855 2.7%

State Tax Receipts $ 5,723,783 $ 5,957,516 $ 6,163,771 $ 6,007,106 -2.5% Source: Virginia Tourism Corporation, Virginia Locality Economic Impact Data, 2014

Table.8

Local Excise Taxes Collected in Wythe County

2011 2012 2013 2014 Percent Change

Food Service Excise Tax Collected

$ 2,815,116 $ 3,002,626 $ 3,058,352 $ 3,128,539 2.3%

Lodging Excise Tax Collected

$ 1,082,741 $ 1,172,960 $ 1,212,871 $ 1,268,170 4.6%

Source: Virginia Tourism Corporation, Virginia Locality Economic Impact Data, 2014



Appendix B

List of April 27, 2016 Stakeholder Visioning Meeting Attendees

Community Members:

1. Frank Akers 2. Donnie Buck 3. Jason Childers 4. Audrey Hedrick 5. Gary Houseman 6. Jerry Hurt 7. Phyllis Hurt 8. Ron Kime 9. Jim Lloyd 10. Amy McBride 11. Mike McBride 12. Chuck Miller 13. Ed Schaack 14. Ellen Schaack 15. Frank Slavin 16. Mike Sobey 17. Brian Vaught 18. Sean Viars 19. Gail Vipperman 20. Jack Vipperman

Virginia Tech Representatives:

1. Lois Badey 2. Erica Corder 3. Maeve Gould 4. Faruk Hesenjan 5. Sarah Lyon-Hill 6. Adam Mawyer 7. Nick Onopa 8. John Provo



Appendix C

List of potential uses and events suggested by participants at the Visioning Meeting

Potential uses Number of dots posted Museum with visitor center 10 BBQ/Chili Cookout/Wine tasting 7 Education- leadership, students to learn about the train depot 5 A place for education- health, performing arts 5 Museum- multi kiosk, multi content; appeal to different age groups, especially children

4

A place for music and Appalachian arts & crafts 4 Cabbage festival 3 A place for senior citizen activities 2 Housing historic society 2 A place for entertainment related uses & events 2 Conference/meeting place 2 Art exhibits/galleries 1 Cooking, painting, art classes 1

Farmers market 1 Educational test center (e.g. AICP certification) 1 Dr. Pepper festival 1 Heritage Festival open house 1 Street dance (depot sponsored) 1 Open days to the community A place for jam sessions & square dancing Place for wedding pictures Christmas bazaar Amtrak station Appalachian community center A place for community events (weddings, etc.) A place for learning about photography (relating to the Christmas Eve/O. Winston Link photo)

Haunted house- trick or treat location

Documents

Rural Retreat Train Depot Stakeholder Visioning · depot and examine how the train depot’s new function can best benefit the community. The Rural Retreat train depot was originally